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He had heard this story before. He had seen it often. It was why he hated war and even laughed at humanity. He knew the history of Sirius and why humanity had settled it....to escape a war of over a hundred years that neither side remembered what they were fighting for only to begin fighting again. But Elena was a victim. She wasn't the only one nor would she be the last but he was no stranger to it. For as in rough a shape as she was, it was times like these where Doc found the best in people. In his mind, the layers of the onion were peeled back enough to reveal the core of a matter. He gently nodded in understanding.
"It's cliche and you have probably heard it before but nothing is your fault. It happens often. A man takes his career to the point where his family doesn't matter."
He paused a moment but not for too long. He spoke softly and gently. Doc himself hadn't realized it but it was a first for him. It was easy to understand. He WAS that man who chose medicine and diplomacy over his wife. Now, she was gone. He had a chance to take a big negative and make it a positive.
"Sadly, so long as there is war, as there is mankind, you won't be the last person to go through this. That fact doesn't make things any better but it's an evil truth."
He then leaned forward a bit and while he became a bit direct, he was just as gentle with his questions. "Listen, I'm going to ask you a few things. You might get mad. You might cry hell you might even want to strike me.....which I wouldn't blame you for but they are questions that I must ask."
He sat back again and began asking, "So what is it that you blame yourself for? Demanding his attention? Wanting him to take time away from his busy schedule to be a boyfriend and father? Do you blame yourself........." He stopped in mid sentence. It was a touchy question but given circumstances, it was necessary. "Do you blame yourself for having his child? If you do, you shouldn't."
While he awaited her answer, he looked toward the fire and the pile of logs nearby. In a minute or two, it would need another.
